J.C. Tran to rep PKR in Premier League

J.C. Tran will be sporting the PKR logo when he's in London playing in the upcoming PartyPoker Premier League III.

Tran agreed to represent the poker site in the televised event. Not only will he wear PKR branding while playing, he is scheduled to provide an interview that will be featured across PKR's online TV station and its customer magazine.

"We're honoured to have the world's best tournament player represent PKR at this year's Premier League," said Simon Prodger, PKR marketing director. "It's a great format, and our association with J.C. will help introduce PKR to a whole new audience of poker fans."

Tran has an extensive tournament record that includes 23 World Series of Poker cashes, including seven final tables, and 11 World Poker Tour cashes, with five final tables there as well.

"You've got to like this guy. If you don't know him, you are in for a treat. He's where the Vietnamese American meets the California surfer dude. His tournament record over the last three years puts every single player in this league to shame," said Jesse May, Premier League commentator, in his preview of the event.

"He is no one hit wonder, and it is impossible for him to just be a very good player on an unbelievable run. He has so many final tables in big events over the last three years it's just mind boggling. And now, he has started to more regularly close the deal."

May said he's watched plenty of Tran's interviews and knows Tran has faith that the fame and sponsorship he deserves will come along if he continues to do his thing and play successful tournament poker.

"I can see him taking this event more seriously than anyone else in the field. He has the most to gain," May said.

"J.C. said something in one of his interviews that makes me think he will succeed here. He said that he used to push things too hard and has now learned how to let the game come to him. I think that's a really good attitude for this league format. There's so many in this field who will do the pushing. J.C. might just let this title come to him."

The Premiere League III begins playing on Monday and will continue until Nov. 30. The league-style format features 12 invitation-only players who buy into the event for $75,000 each. The other players are Vicky Coren, Tony G, Phil Hellmuth, Roland De Wolfe, Tom Dwan, Annette Obrestad, Peter Eastgate, Juha Helppi, Andy Black, Nenad Medic and Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott.

The matches are as follows:

• Match 1, Nov. 24: Roland De Wolfe, Annette Obrestad, Andy Black, Peter Eastgate, Dave Ulliott, J.C. Tran
• Match2, Nov. 24: Phil Hellmuth, Tony G, Vicky Coren, Nenad Medic, Juha Helppi, Tom Dwan
• Match 3, Nov. 25: Roland De Wolfe, Phil Hellmuth, Nenad Medic, Annette Obrestad, Juha Helppi, Tony G
• Match 4, Nov. 25: Dave Ulliott, J.C. Tran, Peter Eastgate, Andy Black, Tom Dwan, Vicky Coren
• Match 5, Nov. 26: Annette Obrestad, Nenad Medic, Vicky Coren, Juha Helppi, J.C. Tran, Peter Eastgate
• Match 6, Nov. 26: Phil Hellmuth, Tony G, Dave Ulliott, Tom Dwan, Andy Black, Roland De Wolfe
• Match 7, Nov. 27: J.C. Tran, Tony G, Nenad Medic, Tom Dwan, Roland De Wolfe, Phil Hellmuth
• Match 8, Nov. 27: Dave Ulliott, Juha Helppi, Peter Eastgate, Andy Black, Annette Obrestad, Vicky Coren
• Match 9, Nov. 28: Juha Helppi, Nenad Medic, Phil Hellmuth, J.C. Tran, Dave Ulliott, Peter Eastgate
• Match 10, Nov. 28: Tony G, Vicky Coren, Annette Obrestad, Roland De Wolfe, Andy Black, Tom Dwan
• Match 11, Nov. 29: Juha Helppi, Phil Hellmuth, Tony G, Annette Obrestad, Tom Dwan, Andy Black
• Match 12, Nov. 29: J.C. Tran, Nenad Medic, Peter Eastgate, Roland De Wolfe, Vicky Coren

The top four point earners from the 12 matches will automatically move on to play the final table on Nov. 30. The next four point earners will battle in heads-up matches for the final two seats at the final table.

All the action will be recorded for a later broadcast on TV in the United Kingdom. Fans can get a full preview of the event in Jesse May's analysis.

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